How Many is Enough???

Passionatepaws — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:07:37 GMT

Rescuing animals is a tricky business....there are so many homeless dogs and cats in this country once you start rescuing one you want to rescue them all.

Of course, that isn't possible. So how do you feel like you are making a difference when your home can only house so many kitties and pups?

For me, it started with rescuing just one at a time. When I see hundreds of animals needing a home, (and all it takes is a few minutes on Petfinder.com to see hundreds of adorable furry faces all woofing and purring at you to take them home) well I just get overwhelmed and start to feel that nothing I do could possibly make a difference.

But then I stop. And I think about my black lab mix, one of the most-difficult-to-rehome breeds out there. And I think about the fact that he was in a shelter for 7 months. Thats 210 days and nights of caged existence. And he was about to be euthanized because nobody seemed to want him and they needed to make room for the next stray or surrender to come in.

But I couldn't stand the idea of it. So I rescued him...from 1500 miles away. And every day I love on him I think about how happy I am to have saved him and how he is one of the lucky ones. In fact, I named him 'Brunswick' which means 'Hope Restored".

Brunswick is the fourth dog that I have rescued in my adult life. And I have dedicated my work to help raise money to care for animals in need. So my point about all this is, can I save all the dogs and cats out there? No I can't. But if everyone one of us, rescues the ones that we can, just one sweet-whiskered face at a time, together we all can and DO make a difference.

For more information on how you can make a difference for a dog or cat that needs rescuing, email me.

JUST A DOG

Passionatepaws — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:07:37 GMT

JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been
brought about by "just a dog,"
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts
my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog",
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man or woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog"
just smile...
because they "just don't understand."

by Richard Biby

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Contributing Editor VHD

From "The Versatile Hunting Dog"
NAVHDA's Magazine
February 2006

Passionate Paws

How Many is Enough???

JUST A DOG